The Oligoadenylate-RNAseL Pathway May Provide A Specific And Low Toxicity Approach To Therapy For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,314.00
Summary
We have discovered that a pathway used to fight viral infections can be triggered to produce massive cell death in the mammary gland. We hope to be able to trigger this response in breast cancers through the strategic combination of available drugs. If successful this project will establish a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
FOXP3 Regulated MicroRNAs: A Novel Component Of FOXP3 Tumour Suppressor Function In Breast Epithelial Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,716.00
Summary
Until there is a cure, breast cancer research must continue to discover new targets for therapy. We have novel insight into a new tumour supressor; FOXP3, and have identified the genes it regulates in T cells. We can now apply this information to normal breast tissues to reveal the mechanism and targets that FOXP3 controls to prevent cancer
A Functional In Vivo ShRNA Screen For Regulators Of Breast Cancer Metastasis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,417.00
Summary
Breast cancer is generally incurable if detected after the tumour has spread to other organs. The genes driving the tumour cells to other sites have not been clearly resolved. This project aims to accelerate the discovery process by using a genome wide functional screen to identify genes that control the spread of breast cancer. If successful, this project could lead very quickly to identification of genes that might be good targets for new therapy against advanced breast cancer.
The Landscape Of Cancer Genes And Associations With Prognosis In Breast Cancer Diagnosed In Premenopausal Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,512.00
Summary
Using state of the art technology, the purpose of this project is understand the implications of known cancer mutations in breast cancer diagnosed in premenopausal ER-positive breast cancer. Mutations are abnormalities in the DNA of genes that can provide a signal for uncontrolled growth, a hallmark of cancer. The unique aspect of this project is use of tissue samples from patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. This information will help us develop new treatments.
Targeting The Oncoprotein MDMX As A Novel Treatment For Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,672.00
Summary
Breast cancer (BrCa) is a leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. BrCas unable to respond to current therapies have the worst outcomes. We propose a novel strategy to treat these cancers, based on our new findings. Our two protein targets are: (1) MDMX, that we found drives BrCa with its partner, (2) mutant p53, which causes cancer spread. We plan to directly target these drivers of aggressive BrCas, using new drugs that individually show great promise in trials in a number of cance
EAR2: A Novel Driver Of Breast Cancer Proliferation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,476.00
Summary
Drugs that block oestrogen are effective breast cancer treatments, but many patients are resistant to their effects. This research addresses a protein known as EAR2, that is elevated in breast cancer tissue compared to normal breast. We hypothesise that EAR2 drives breast cancer cell proliferation, and will test this using cell lines and mouse models. We will validate EAR2 as a new therapeutic target, benefitting patients underserved by current hormone therapies.
We have identified genetic abnormalities in 5% of breast cancers that fall in a novel DNA element called BIME1. This proposal aims to determine whether these genetic abnormalities contribute to breast tumourigenesis and which genes and pathways are affected by these mutations. The outcomes of this proposal may lead to the development of novel therapies for breast cancer or could influence the choice of existing therapies for patients that harbour these genetic abnormalities.
BRCA-P: An International Randomised Phase III Study Evaluating The RANK Ligand Inhibitor Denosumab For The Prevention Of Breast Cancer In BRCA1 Mutation Carriers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,589,049.00
Summary
Women with a faulty BRCA1 gene are at high lifetime risk for breast cancer. Identifying a safe and effective prevention therapy is therefore a ‘holy grail’. We have discovered that denosumab, used to treat osteoporosis or breast cancer spread to bone, could be ‘repurposed’ as a prevention drug. BRCA-P is an international randomised controlled study that will determine if denosumab prevents breast cancer. Associated translational research will facilitate swift transfer to the clinic.
Nuclear Receptors And Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,979.00
Summary
This project will explore the potential for a nuclear receptor known as the thyroid receptor to suppress growth of breast cancer using cell culture models and mouse models. We hope to show that activating the thyroid receptors leads to a reduction in breast cancer growth providing evidence that the thyroid receptor pathway could be targeted for therapy.
A Systems Biology Approach To Defining Therapeutic Targets In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,112.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a very complex disease affecting large numbers of women. Current treatment strategies are effective at controlling the disease for patients, however many continue to be burdened by their disease as their tumour either does not respond or develops resistance to the treatment. We will use mathematical approaches to analyse large and complex data sets generated from breast cancers to identify new therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes.